Bay Canh

Top choice in Con Dao Islands


Perhaps the best all-round island to visit is Bay Canh, to the east of Con Son Island, which has lovely beaches, old-growth forest, mangroves, coral reefs and sea turtles (seasonal). There is a fantastic two-hour walk to a functioning French-era lighthouse on Bay Canh’s eastern tip, although it involves a steep climb of 325m. Once at the summit, the panoramic views are breathtaking.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Con Dao Islands attractions

1. Bai Dat Doc

3.41 MILES

This simply beautiful cove consists of a kilometre-long crescent of pale sand, fringed by wooded hills. The beach's profile is gently shelving and there's…

2. Bai Loi Voi

4.06 MILES

On the north side of Con Son Town, Bai Loi Voi is a broad sand-and-shingle beach with lots of seashells and shade-providing coastal trees. At low tide…

3. Phu Binh Camp

4.13 MILES

On the northeastern edge of town, this prison was built in 1971 by the Americans, and had 384 chambers. The cells had corrugated-iron roofs, and were…

4. Bao Tang Con Dao Museum

4.25 MILES

This impressive museum has more than 2000 exhibits, including many rare documents, dioramas and excellent photographs, which comprehensively record the…

5. Tiger Cages

4.26 MILES

The notorious cells dubbed 'tiger cages' were built in 1940 by the French to incarcerate nearly 2000 political prisoners; the USA continued using them in…

6. Hang Duong Cemetery

4.39 MILES

Some 20,000 Vietnamese prisoners died on Con Son and 1994 of their graves can be seen at the peaceful Hang Duong Cemetery, located at the northeastern…

7. Phu Hai Prison

4.42 MILES

The largest of the 11 jails on the island, this prison dates from 1862. Thousands of prisoners were held here, with up to 200 prisoners crammed into each…

8. Museum Vo Thi Sau

4.54 MILES

Small museum dedicated to the life of teenager martyr and national heroine Vo Thi Sau.